Cricket: Harry conjures his own magic

A player with great potential. That is how Peter Hensman, cricket coach at Havelock North High School (HNHS) described Harrison Gregory, a Year 13 student.

Harrison, or "Harry" as he is known to his teammates, is quietly developing into a cricketer to be respected.

Recently, the 17-year-old almost single handedly destroyed Napier Boys' High School's second team in the senior second grade competition, scoring 135 runs off 141 balls coming in at No 3 - a match HNHS won by 146 runs, scoring 290-4.

In so doing, he was ably assisted by opener Josh Hannan who scored 94.

Harry, who has played for Hawke's Bay under-17 team and for Havelock North Cricket Club premier team, failed with the bat in a following match (February 16) against CHB College's first team. He took the long and lonely walk back to the pavilion out lbw for one.

With HNHS all out for 137 and CHB on 87-1 and cruising, captain Ben Broughton tossed the ball to Harry. Eight overs later (including three maidens) he left CHB demoralised claiming eight wickets for a paltry 18.

CHB were all out for 130

"Harry is a true allrounder," said Hensman, who coached the HNHS girls' First XI to national champions last year.